Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his appointed representative and himself, leaving no issues for the Board to consider.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 10 percent since July 24, 2013. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as knee conditions, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss but denied the claim for left ear hearing loss. The right ear was assigned a noncompensable disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and personnel records. The VA will then review the claims and provide a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased evaluations and effective dates for various service-connected disabilities, including cancer of the larynx and its residuals. The case is being remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and postoperative residuals of a right parotid gland tumor are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been denied as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or clinical onset during service. The Veteran's income exceeds the maximum annual pension limit, thus he is not entitled to nonservice-connected disability pension.

The Board has denied the Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence does not support a compensable rating or an increased rating beyond 10 percent. The service-connected low back disorder is found to be service connected.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during service, and there was no evidence of continuity of symptoms since service. The VA medical opinion concluded that his current hearing loss is not related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence of continuity of symptoms. The VA examiner opined that it was less likely than not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus became manifest in service and has persisted, warranting service connection. The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between current hearing loss and tinnitus and service. The Veteran's reports of symptoms in service are considered, but a new VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been withdrawn. The appeal for an increased evaluation of PTSD has been remanded due to the need for a statement of the case.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, back condition, and left foot injury due to lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and dismissed the remaining issues of bilateral hearing loss, residuals of cancer of the cervix, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as he does not have a current disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including work, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood. The Board finds that a 70 percent disability rating is warranted for his service-connected PTSD.